Keeping your battery healthy, your tyres inflated and giving your car a thorough clean could make all the difference when isolation measures are finally lifted. Here are our tips on how to maintain your car during the lockdown.
Try to avoid a flat battery
The best way to make sure your car makes it through long-term storage or significantly reduced usage is to keep its battery healthy. Using a battery conditioner, or trickle charger, is the most effective way to do this. It will keep immobilisers and other energy-sapping components from draining your battery completely. Just keep in mind that using these devices could be impractical if your car is parked on the street as you may need to drape cables across the pavement, which can become a tripping hazard for passers-by. If there are two cars in your household, you may want to consider alternating your essential trips in them. You should also be mindful that repeated short journeys will flatten your battery faster than usual, which is even more reason to follow the government's guidance to shop for necessities as infrequently as possible. Most importantly, you should avoid turning your engine on, only to turn it off again shortly after.
Take care of your tyres
You'll need to inflate your tyres to the maximum recommended pressure found on their sidewall, as they will lose pressure over time, even if they're not being used in motion. If left for a long period of time this can lead to flat spots and your tyres losing their round shape, especially on older tyres. If you think you may be leaving your car idle for several months, rolling it (very carefully) every so often can ensure the tyres won't get worn unevenly
Give the car a thorough clean
Cleaning your car before storing or when using it less frequently will not only help keep it looking its best but could prevent damage further down the road. Waxing your car can stop tree sap, bird droppings and harsh weather leaving its mark on your paintwork, but make sure you give the car a thorough clean before applying a coat. Paying attention to your tyres will ensure brake shavings, mud and grease are removed, which can help to prevent corrosion later. Cleaning the inside of the car is now more important than ever. If you're concerned about the risk of spreading coronavirus, you should disinfect your interior. Cleaning the inside of your car is also the only way to make sure crumbs, other pieces of food and mud don't decay or dry into the upholstery. If your interior is left particularly dirty, it may even attract insects and vermin, leading to further damage from these unwanted tenants.
Make sure you have spare bulbs
It's a good idea to keep spare bulbs at all times. But as more shops face staff shortages and closures you might struggle to find the correct bulbs for your car at short notice. Make sure your vehicle is roadworthy for those essential journeys by picking up spares while you have the chance. Although the coronavirus outbreak has prompted MOT exemptions, you may still be prosecuted if your car is deemed unsafe, which it will if you don’t have properly working lights.
Check and top up vital liquids
You should check fluid levels to keep your engine well maintained and have your car ready to drive when you need it. Top up your: oil, you will need make sure your car is on a flat surface so you can determine your current oil level. fuel, to prevent moisture from accumulating in the tank and rust developing. Adding fuel stabiliser will extend its lifespan too coolant, to ensure you're ready to drive once essential travel restrictions are lifted window wash, to make sure your car is prepared for its next outing on the road
Park in a suitable place
If you're not planning on using your car for a while you'll need to leave it parked somewhere safe and sheltered from the elements. A private garage is the best choice, as it could help deter would-be thieves and vandals, while also protecting your paintwork from adverse weather and other outdoor threats. You should make sure your car is dry and the garage is well ventilated too. The secure location means you can even leave your car in gear with chocks behind the wheels instead of the handbrake to save the handbrake cable from stretching. If a garage isn't an option, try to park somewhere shaded during the day and welllit at night. Trees offer protection from some types of weather but will leave your car more vulnerable to bird droppings and tree sap, which you'll have to clean up later. A cover will protect your car against the outside world but should only be used when it's not obscuring a necessary parking permit.
Arrange breakdown cover
Using your car infrequently could mean a problem goes unnoticed until it's too late. If you're caught short after lockdown measures are lifted, or even during an essential journey, arranging breakdown cover ahead of time will offer peace of mind.
Above all stay safe and we look forward to seeing you soon.